Legal Definitions - corruption of a minor

The legal term corruption of a minor refers to the act of an adult or older individual influencing, encouraging, or causing a person under the legal age of majority to engage in activities that are illegal, immoral, or harmful to their physical, mental, or moral well-being. This offense aims to protect children and adolescents from exploitation and exposure to detrimental influences that could impair their development or lead them into unlawful behavior.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• Example 1: Encouraging Illegal Activity

  A 22-year-old convinces their 16-year-old cousin to help them shoplift electronics from a department store, promising to split the profits. The older cousin provides instructions on how to avoid detection and acts as a lookout.

  Explanation: The 22-year-old is committing corruption of a minor by actively encouraging and involving their underage cousin in a criminal act (theft). This action exposes the minor to legal consequences and undermines their moral development by normalizing unlawful behavior.

• Example 2: Exposing to Harmful Environments and Substances

  An adult (30s) regularly hosts parties at their apartment where they openly provide alcohol and marijuana to all attendees, including several 17-year-olds from the local high school. They encourage the minors to partake, despite knowing it is illegal for them to consume these substances.

  Explanation: The adult is corrupting the minors by creating an environment where illegal substances are readily available and consumed by underage individuals. By encouraging their participation, the adult is impairing the minors' well-being and moral judgment, and promoting unlawful activities.

• Example 3: Undermining Parental Authority and Moral Development

  A 45-year-old neighbor frequently invites a 13-year-old child over to watch violent, adult-themed movies and play excessively violent video games, despite the child's parents having explicitly forbidden such content. The neighbor also encourages the child to lie to their parents about what they are doing at the neighbor's house.

  Explanation: The neighbor is corrupting the minor by deliberately exposing them to content deemed inappropriate and harmful by their parents. Furthermore, by encouraging dishonesty and secrecy, the neighbor is actively undermining the child's moral development, fostering disrespect for parental authority, and promoting deceitful behavior.